Richard (Dick) Place. It is on occasions like these that people often take stock of things that have happened in the past, and realise how quickly time, and years have slipped by. It was with great sadness that I report of the passing of one of the all-time quiet legends from our control line section in April 2020.-that of Richard Place. Always known as “Dick”, to his friends; apart from his legendary team racing partner and friend, Don Haworth - who always referred to him as Richard. Dick ...

John Frederick Reid ( Jack) 23-12-1932 -01-07- 2020 By 1974 Jack was building models suitable for serious competition and indeed did try out for and successfully won a place on the Canadian F1B team to attend the World Championships to be held in Bulgaria in 1975.    In Bulgaria the Canadian team won the bronze medal in F1B.  They would have had silver if Jack hadn’t set the timer wrongly on his last flight.  Forty years later he was still kicking himself for that one.  In 1976 he again made ...

You are hopefully aware of the very successful online presentations that the Achievement Scheme Review Committee have been running on Tuesday evenings recently. (The next one being on Tuesday next week details of which are at https://achievements.bmfa.uk/online-roadshow-pt-7-examiner-instructor-workshops-the-benefits-what-to-expect-and-how-to-run-a-successful-workshop ) With the success of these presentations I thought it could be useful and of value to clubs to host an online seminar about the...

The CAA have issued the latest general exemption which removes the requirement to register as an SUA operator directly with the CAA for members who joined or renew with the BMFA on or after 15th June 2020, for a period of 90 days. Members who wish to register with the CAA through the BMFA should select CAA registration when they join or renew. There will be regular bulk uploads to the CAA and those requesting to be registered with the CAA when joining or renewing membership will receive their ...

In accordance with the reasons put forward by Council at the May Zoom Council Meeting, the Silent Flight Technical Committee has concluded most regrettably that it must cancel all three of the 2020 Silent Flight National Championships.  We must now all look forward to 2021.

The exemptions from article 94F of the Air Navigation Order, (see https://rcc.bmfa.uk/ufaqs/article-94f-certain-small-unmanned-aircraft-requirement-for-acknowledgement-of-competency ) has been extended until 30th December 2020 when the CAA intend to introduce the new European UAS Regulations at which point the exemptions should be incorporated in to the specific permission that is being negotiated with the CAA for BMFA members and members of other UK model flying associations. See here for furth...

The CAA have today published an update to CAP1789, which details the EU regulations for unmanned aircraft.  Please see https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1789%20Edition3%20June2020.pdf . The regulations were due to come into effect on the 1 July, but due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic they will not now come into effect until 31 December. The important point for members to note is that the specific reference to model flying remains unchanged: Model aircraft Additional pro...

I am very sorry to have to inform our members that the BMFA Council has taken the difficult decision to cancel the Radio-Control, Control-Line and Scale National Championships (the Power Nationals) that were due to take place at RAF Barkston Heath from 29th to 31st August 2020. The safety of our members and those attending is always our number one priority. I appreciate that this will come as a huge disappointment, particularly after so many other contests and major model flying shows have alre...

COVID-19 Update – A return to the Skies Wales from 1st June. After receiving further information on the situation in Wales it now appears that there can be a limited return of model aircraft flying in Wales, please note that it is subject to conditions about staying local (approx. 5 miles from home) and social distancing measures must be observed. Please also note that you should not be travelling outside of your local area in to Wales either. The government in Wales states:-  If your prefer...

Further to our previous updates which you can read at https://bmfa.org/News/covid-19 it now appears that a return to model flying is now possible for some in England, Northern Ireland and now Scotland from tomorrow (29th May). Please note that the Scottish Government are recommending you do not travel more than 5 miles for outdoor recreation. (An announcement is expected for Wales tomorrow, 29th May). Please remember that it still cannot be considered as being business as usual.  We would rec...